Download first sunday of advent

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Please Say…
Advent means "coming." It is that special time of the year
when we remember Christ's first coming into the world and
look forward to the time when He will come again. It is a time
to prepare our hearts for the advent of Christ.
Our preparation includes many things:
 We remember Israel's hope for the coming of God's
Messiah to save, to forgive, and to restore them.
 We remember our hope for the second coming of
Jesus.
 We remember our need for a Savior to save us from
our sins.
As we prepare for the advent of Christ, we light this candle
as a sign of the coming light of Christ.
LIGHT THE 1ST PURPLE CANDLE NOW
(As the candle is being lit, read the following Scripture)
From the prophet Isaiah:
A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the
LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill
be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the
rough places smooth. Then the glory of the LORD shall be
revealed, and all people shall see it together. (Isaiah 40:3-5)
Let us pray:
Dear God, we look forward with anticipation to the coming of
Christ. May we prepare our hearts for the gift of your Son
this Christmas season. Amen.
Please take your seat(s)
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SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Please say…
At Christmas we are busy giving and receiving gifts. We
do our best to choose gifts our loved ones will enjoy, but
James 1:17 tells us that every good and perfect gift is from
above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly
lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
The good and perfect gift of God is Jesus Christ his Son
who saves us from our sin and renews our relationship
with the Creator. He brings peace and unity to a divided
world and in him alone we have new life.
In anticipation of the good and perfect gift of our Savior,
we light this second candle of advent.
LIGHT THE 1ST AND 2ND PURPLE CANDLES NOW
(As the candles are being lit, read the following Scripture)
From the prophet Isaiah:
The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down
with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling will eat
together; and a little child will lead them. (Isaiah 11:6)
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, we look forward to your Son’s return.
We pray for peace among our nations and those closer to
home. We anxiously await the true gift of Christmas and
ask for good and pure hearts. In the name of the coming
Messiah, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Please take your seat(s)
2
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Please Say…
Today we light three candles.
The first reminds us of our need for a savior.
The second reminds us of the promises in God's Word.
We light the third candle to remind us that the Messiah will
bring justice and peace.
When God’s justice and peace reign, there will be no more
death, no more war, no more separation. We light this
third candle in anticipation of Christ coming and of all
creatures being united in God’s Word.
LIGHT THE 1ST, 2ND & 3rd PURPLE CANDLES NOW
(As the candles are being lit, read the following Scripture)
From the prophet Isaiah:
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,
The desert shall rejoice and blossom;
Like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly,
And rejoice with joy and singing. (Isaiah35:1)
Let us Pray
Come, Lord Jesus, to a world where many are hurting.
Come and save those who are the victims of violence,
poverty, hatred, and oppression. Set things right. When
we are guilty of injustice or we do not help those in need,
show us our wrong and guide us in the right way. Bring
your justice and peace. Amen.
Please take your seat(s)
3
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Please say…
Today we light four candles. Each candle represents
hope and joy in the coming of our Lord. Purple is a solemn
color. The purple candles represent our eager anticipation
of Christ and yet remind us that preparing for Christ is
serious work.
This morning’s candle is pink as it represents the joy of
the Lord. If we prepare ourselves well, great joy will be
ours with the arrival of the baby Messiah.
LIGHT THE THREE PURPLE CANDLES
AND THE PINK CANDLE NOW
(As the candles are being lit, read the following Scripture)
From the prophet Isaiah:
The Lord will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is
with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him
Immanuel (God is with us). (Isaiah 7:14)
Let us pray:
God we are preparing ourselves for your Son. Bring us joy
this Christmas season. Bless us with your presence and
remain in our hearts as the season continues. In the name
of the coming King. Amen.
Please take your seat(s)
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CHRISTMAS EVE/MORNING
Please say…
This evening / morning we light all five candles of the
advent wreath. This morning’s candle is white as it
represents the light and purity of the newborn King.
May his light shine in us and may we always walk in the
light of the Lord.
LIGHT ALL FIVE CANDLES NOW THREE PURPLE,
THEN PINK
LIGHT THE WHITE CANDLE LAST.
(As the candles are being lit, read the following Scripture)
From the prophet Isaiah:
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great
light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness, on them
light has shined. (Isaiah 9:2)
Let us pray:
Dear Lord you are faithful and just and have delivered to
us the light of the world. Let the light shine in us and may
Your Word be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our
paths. We pray in the name of the newborn King. Amen.
Please take your seat(s)
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THANKS!
Thank you for your participation in lighting the Advent
Candle here at Bethany Church.
You are participating in a long standing tradition of
celebrating the birth of Christ through the fellowship of our
church community.
By contributing your time and presence, you’ve helped
symbolize that we are more than a mere gathering of
people. We are a family of believers who together, share
the excitement of advent and the anticipation of the Christ
child.
Thanks and Blessings,
Pastor Eric
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Bethany Presbyterian Church
5403 N. Second St.
Loves Park, IL 61111
(815) 877-8001
www.bethpc.org